Agitator for laundry machines



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Aug- 29, 1950 M. E. RHODE 2,520,336

AGITATOR FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed June 1, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z da Bs l l l 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug, 29, 1950 M. E RHODE AGITTOR4 FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed June 1, 194e Patented Aug. 29, 1950 UNITED` STA-TES PATENT OFFICE AGITATOR-FOR LAUNDRY` MAGHINES` Martin E. Rhode, Chicago, Ill.

Application `June 1', 1946, Serial No:l 673,830

(ci. fie-131) 8 Claims.` l

This invention relatesl to laundry machines, more particularly to washing. andcleansing machineslof the type having aiinovable agitator disposed within a bath of cleansing liquid ina suita-bletub; and the invention has.` for an object the provision of an improved, inexpensive and highly eicient agitator type of machineof this character.

Washing machines of the type employing agitators as heretofore known and constructed have been provided with agitators mountedron suitable operating shafts adaptedtoimpart to the agitator a reciprocating or a rotary oscillating movement, or even a compound reciprocatory. and oscillatory movement. In the majority of cases the operating shaft, which imparts movement to theA agitator, extends through a packed bearing in the bottom wall of the tuband diiicultiesare encountered dueto leakageof the cleansingliquid through thepacking.

Recognition of the diiiicultes involved in-the use of packed'hearings in machines `of this vcharacter has `resulted in the construction. oitmachines wherein the agitator is suspended. on a shaft extendingl downwardly through thev open` topof thetub, but the resulting obstruction of thelopen top or the necessity of'providing means permitting swinging movement of the shaft-.and `agitator out of` the normal` operating position' have rendered such constructions evenmore unsatisfactory thanthose employing packed!bearings.`

In agitator-type washing-.machines of the types heretofore known the agitatorshave uniformly been driven at relatively'low'speeds through-suitable racks, gears or cranks; and due to therfact `that most of such machines are provided with high speed electric motors for driving the agitators the employment of high ratio -reductionfgearingbetweenth'e motor and the agitator hasbeen necessary. Employment of suchA racks gears, vcranks and reduction' gearing not-only addsto theiexpense'and weight of the-structure, but reL sults in excessive wear.I of the parts when subjectedl to the long. andina-rol.` usage usually encountered by washing machinesA designed for home use. Various attemptsl to overcome the above` indicated objectionsanddisadvantages have not resulted inentirely satisfactory con- .structionsy and accordingly itisa further object of this invention to `provide a washingV or cleansing machine of: the agitator type inwhich the danger of leakage through` packed joints or bearings is eliminated, in which the` operating elements are subjected to.- a minimumof wear and in which` the' agitator .isrsoI operated as to 2 impart to the.v cleansing. liquid. a substantially boilingaction thereby electing a thorough and enicientwashing.

It is a-further object of this invention to pro,- vide a washing machine wherein an. improved washing action is obtainedby imparting to the agitator. thereof high-frequency` low-magnitude vibrationsor movements `having acyclically. vary.- ing velocity.

In carrying. out. the invention in one form. a laundry. machine.. is provided comprising a tub, one wall. of. which l.includes a. portion constituting a. flexible. diaphragm. on. which the agitator is supported. within the tub,. and means are. pro.- videdl external to.. the tub for imparting to the diaphragm. low-magnitude high-frequency vi.- brations.. .More particularly, the. means external to .theftub for operating. the diaphragm comprises an operating. rod having. one end rigidly connected to` the.` diaphragm, the otherendlcf.` the rodbeingconnectedvto crank. means adapted to be., driven. at.relatively highV speeds for sim-ulitaneouslyy reciprocating and laterally oscillating the rod whereby` rectilinear vibration and angular exure. of the diaphragm is. effected; to reciprocate and tilt theV agitator within the tub.

For a more complete understandingof theinventin, reference should now -be had tothe drawingsfin which:

Fig. 1 is antelevational side View of.` a laundry machine embodyingthe present invention, a portion of one wall of" the tub being broken away more clearly toiillustrate the construction and mounting of Ithe agitator;`

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional View taken substantially. along the line 2`-2 of Fig'. 1.;

Fig. 3 `is a .fragmentary sectional View of another form of Ytubadapted `for use ina laundry machine` embodying' the present invention;

Fig..4.i's a horizontal sectionalyiew taken. substantiallyalong the lined- 4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5` is a fragmentary View partly in. section i1lustrating,a-.modied form of operating mechanism. for.. a laundry,- machine embodying the present invention..

Referring-now. to. the drawings, the invention is shown .as embodied Ain .a-.laundry machine comprisinga stationary. tub I0' for containing a'bath ofl Washing or cleansingv liquid', which tub may -be oiany suitable shape but is shown as provided withinturned. upper edges- H which terminate inoaohorizontaiflange IZdening. an opening I3 through. thet'op .ofthe` tub adapted to be closed by a suitable cover i4. The tub |0is mounted,Y

4as showni-besttinFgs. I andlZ, on asupporting base comprising a conical skirt I5 carrying a gasket I6 at its upper end adapted to engage the side wall of the tub IU, the lower end of the skirt l5 being supported in an annular base member l1. Adjacent its upper end the skirt i5 is provided with an inwardly extending wall I8 which may be secured to the skirt I5 by welding or other suitable securing means.

As shown best in Fig. 2, the bottom wall o' the tub I!) is provided with a centrally disposed opening i9 defined by a downwardly extending iiange 2U, the opening i9 being tightly sealed by a flexible diaphragm member 2l which is preferably of the cup shape shown in Fig. 2, and which is provided with an outwardly-extending ange 22 adapted to be secured to the bottom wall of the tub by suitable bolts 23 which extend through the bottom wall and through the wall i8 of the base so as rigidly to secure the tub on the base.

Although the diaphragm 2l, which may be formed of rubber or of rubber-impregnated fabric or of any other suitable exible material, may be of any desired shape, it is preferably of the cup shape shown in Fig. 2 and is provided with a heavy wall portion 2li and relatively thin side wall portion 25. Mounted on the upper surface of the wall 2d of the diaphragm 2l is the agitator member 2S comprising a dish-shaped base portion and an upwardly extending vane 2l. rlhe agitator member 2t may be secured to the diaphragm member 25 in any suitable manner as by molding a projection of the agitator into the diaphragm, by cementing the agitator to the dia.- phragm, or by threadedly securing the agitator to a threaded part proiecting from the dia phragm. In the embodiment shown in the drawings a rod 28, which comprises the operating rod for the diaphragm 2l, extends through the heavy upper wall 24 of the diaphragm and is threaded as indicated at 29 to receive a suitable threaded portion of the agitator 25. The rod 2t is provided below the wall 24 with a tightening nut 3), and it will be apparent that when the agitator 2t is screwed onto the upper projecting end of the rod 28 and the nut 3G tightened against the lower surface of the wall 2l! of the diaphragm 2l, the rod 28 and the agitator 23 will be rigidly secured to the diaphragm and any danger of leakage through the diaphragm will be effectively prevented. As previously indicated the agitator 25 52,'

may be molded into the diaphragm 2l and, likewise, the upper end of the operating rod 28 may be molded into the diaphragm if desired.

Adjacent its lower end the operating rod 28 engages the outer ring 3l of an eccentric, the rod being threaded into the eccentric ring and provided with a locking nut 3 la as shown. Theinner surface of the eccentric ring 3l is adapted to engage the outer race 32 of a suitable ball bearing, the inner race 33 of the ball bearing being supported on an eccentric 34 mounted on a driving shaft 35.

As shown best in Fig. i, the driving shaft 35 constitutes the rotating shaft of .a conventional electric motor 35 which is supported on a suitable hanger 3l from the wall portion i3 of the supporting base. Preferably, a rubber or other resilient mounting is employed for the motor, in order to reduce vibration.

When the electric motor 35 is energized the shaft 35 on which the eccentric is mounted rotates at a high speed, depending upon the design of the motor, which speed may be in the neighborhood of 1800 revolutions per minute, and conwill move in a circular path so as to impart to the diaphragm 2l both a vertical reciprocating movement and an angular tilting movement. Thus the rod 26 not only moves up and down through a distance determined by a throw of the eccentric 513, but also tilts angularly about a pivot point intermediate its ends so as to impart to the diaphragm 2l not only a reciprocatory but also an angular flexing movement.

The limits of movement of the rod 28, dia.- phragm 2l and the agitator 25 which is supported on the diaphragm, are indicated in Fig. 2 by broken lines, the heavy line showing of the agitator (Fig. 2) indicating its uppermost central position. Thus there is imparted to the agitator a Vcompound movement of high-frequency and low-magnitude, and it will be observed that this compound movement has a cyclically varying velocity. For exemple, assuming that the eccentric is in the position shown in Fig. 2 and is rotating in a clockwise direction, it will be apparent that during the first degrees of rotation the rod 28 moves downwardly thus tending to lower the outer peripheral edges of the agitator 26. At the same time, however, the lower end of the rod 28 is moving to the right tending to tilt upwardly the right-hand edge of the agitator 26, thereby compensating in part for the downward movement of the agitator as a whole. Consequently, only a slight movement of the right-hand edge of the agitator occurs during this quarter cycle. During this same quarter cycle, however, the movement of the lower end of the rod 28 in a right-hand direction tends to tilt the agitator so as to move the left-hand edge thereof downwardly, thus adding to the downward movement of the left-hand edge resulting from the bodily downward movement of the agitator as a whole'. Consequently, the left-hand edge of the agitator moves at a high speed during this quarter cycle.

During the next quarter cycle the rod 28 continues to move downwardly but the lower end thereof moves in a left-hand direction back toward its central position, tending to tilt the agitator in a direction such as to lower the righthand edge and raise the left-hand edge. Consequently, during this quarter cycle the right-hand edge of the agitator, as viewed in Fig. 2, moves at a high speed while the left-hand edge moves at a lower speed, the tilting movement tending to compensate for the downward movement of the agitator as a whole.

By virtue of the high-frequency .low-magnitude movement of cyclically varying velocity imparted i to the agitator 25 the bath of cleansing liquid within the tub Iii is given a substantially boiling movement which forces the cleansing liquid through the clothes or other articles contained in the bath, so as to accomplish a highly efficient washing operation. It has been found that the movement imparted to the bath of cleansing liquid is such as to force the liquid up the outer walls of the tub and, if a conventional open'top tub were employed having no inturned portion corresponding to the portions I l of the tube l0, a portion of the cleansing liquid would be caused to ow over the upper edges of the tub. This discharge of the cleansing liquid from the tub is prevented, however, by the inturned upper portions ll on the walls of the tub I0.

If for structural reasons it is desired to employ a cylindrical tub, such for example as the tub 38, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 3 having a cover 39 adapted to rest on the upper edge of sequently the lower end of the operating rod 28 75 the cylindrical walls, an inwardly extending flange abou-acs may be secured tol the` walls of the-:tubadacent theopen upper-end in orderto minimizethe tendency ofi the cleansing liquidtoboil or-be discharged overthe upperedgesof the i tub.

As shown best in Fig. 1, theoper-ating shaft 35 for the eccentric 3d extends `through theoccentric and is supported in `spaced relation "thereto by asuitable hanger Mi supported, a-s 'showmcn the Wall i8 of the'base'str-uctureand,

if' desired, an extension of the shaft'- 3:5 may be provided with a suitableclutch i2 forconnecting the rshaft 35Y to a conventional Ywringer'imechanism` di!v only-a portion of which is showninthe drawing.

Although it has `been oun'dthat anexceptionallyeflicient agitation of the cleansing liquid and a correspondingly efcient washing actionl is obtained by imparting to the diaphragmZl `and the agitator the cyclically varying compound movement achieved by the `eccentric arrangement heretofore described, the invention is not limited tlieretciand in` Fig. 5I'haveshown a portion of another type of operating mechanismzembodying the present invention. In Fig. `5-similar parts are designated by similar reference numerals, but in this embodiment of the invention the operating mechanism comprises a crank disk M driven, for

example, by the shaft and connectediby means ofa connecting rod 45 and a pin. it tothelovver end ofthe operating rod 28. The pin 46 connectthe rods 23 and de may be supported in any :suitable fashion for either arcuate or reciprocatory oscillating movement; Thus pin t6 may be carried on a crank having a greater radius than the crank disc lli so as to guide the pin 4t for arcuate oscillatory movement, or the pin lit may be mounted in suitable slides whereby it receives a rectilinear substantially horizontal oscillatory movement. In either event the movement imparted to the dipahragm 2| by the rod 28 consists primarily of a tilting movement, there being no substantial vetrical movement of the diaphragm as compared to the compound movement attained by the operating mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 5 the rod 28 and the diaphragm 26 are shown in substantially their respective center positions, the limits of movement imparted thereto by the crank disc dit being indicated in broken lines.

In agitator-type washing machines heretofore known, the agitator member is ordinarily moved at a relatively low speed through a substantial range of movement. For example, in one type of machine the agitator is oscillated through a horizontal arc of approximately 180 degrees at a speed of approximately 50 oscillations per minute. In the applicants improved washing machine the agitator is given no oscillation in a horizontal plane but is, instead, reciprocated and tilted through a relatively small range of movement at a relatively high speed and the frequency of Vibration or movement is of a high order of magnitude as compared to conventional Washing machines. In the claims the terms low-magnitude and high-frequency are respectively intended to mean movements of only a few inches and frequencies of the order obtainable by direct connection to conventional electric motors, which frequencies may vary from approximately 500 per minute up to 1800 or more per minute.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not Wish to be limited thereto since many modification may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover ani,

6 such modifications asy fall iwithini the true: :spirit and scope off my invention;`

Having thusl described my invention, what. 1I

`claiin andidesire to secureby YLetters Patent is:

11. Inra laundry machine, the-combination of a tub for `containing a bath of cleansing liquid,

said tub having-an aperture inrthe bottom wall thereof, a i cup-shaped flexible diaphragmsecured to` said bottom wallininverted relation to `seal said aperture, an agitator secured tothe upper surface of the `olosedend ofsaid cup, an operating rod` secured toand depending from thelower surface of said closed end of said cup, an eccentric disposed below said rod and rotatable about an axis extending substantially at right angles to'said rod; and-a strap surrounding said eccentric connected rigidly to said rod whereby rotation of said eccentric imparts to said agitator through said diaphragm a compound reciprocating and wobblingfmovement forproducing'a substantially boiling movement `ofsad liquid.

2. In a laundry machine,` thecombination o'ffa `tub for containing a bath of cleansing liquid; said tub having an aperture inthe Ybottom Awall Athereof, a cup-shaped diaphragm disposedoverV said aperture and secured to said bottom wall in inverted relation to sealL said aperture, said cups'haped diaphragm having a heavy end vv-a-lliand reiatively thin flexible side walls, an agitator mounted on the upper surface off said end wall, an operating-rod rigidly secured to said agitator and to said end wall and depending therefrom, and crank means associated with the-lower end of'said rod formoving said'lcwer' end through a substantially circular path in a vertical plane to eiiect a compound reciprocating and tilting movement of said agitator.

3. In a laundry machine, the combination of a tub for containing a bath of cleansing liquid, said tub having an aperture in the bottom wall thereof, a cup-shaped diaphragm disposed over said aperture and secured to said bottom Wall in inverted relation to seal said aperture, said cupshaped diaphragm having a heavy end Wall and relatively thin iiexible side walls, an agitator mounted on the upper surface of said end wall, an operating rod rigidly secured to said agitator and to said end Wall and depending therefrom, and means for imparting to the lower end of said rod a high speed substantially circular movement in a vertical plane to impart to said agitator a high-frequency low-magnitude compound movement having a cyclically varying velocity, whereby a substantially boiling movement of said liquid is obtained.

Ll. In a laundry machine, the combination of a tub for containing a bath of cleansing liquid, said tub having an aperture in the bottom wall thereof, a iieXible diaphragm disposed over said aperture and secured to said bottom wall, an agitator rigidly secured to the upper surface of said diaphragm, a rigid operating member rod rigidly secured to said agitator and said diaphragm and depending therefrom, and an eccentric means for moving the lower end of said member through a substantially circular path in a plane coincident with the center line of said member to impart to said agitator a simultaneous reciprocating and tilting movement.

5. In a laundry machine, the combination of a tub for containing a bath of cleansing liquid, said tub having an aperture in the bottom Wall thereof, a iiexible diaphragm disposed over said aperture and secured to said bottom wall, a substantially disc-shaped agitator rigidly secured to the upper surface of said diaphragm within said tub and spaced from the bottom wall thereof, an operating rod rigidly secured to said agitator and said diaphragm and depending therefrom, an eocentric means for moving the lower end of said rod through a substantially circular path in a plane coincident with the center line of said rod to impart to said agitator a simultaneous reciprocating and tilting movement, means for rotating said eccentric at a speed to produce a substantially boiling movement of said liquid in said tub, and an inwardly extending peripheral flange adjacent the top walls of said tub for preventing overiiow of iluid during movement of the agitator.

6. In a laundry machine, the combination of a tub the bottom Wall of which includes a portion parting to said diaphragm and agitator an angular tilting motionl and rectilinear vibration in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.

7. The device recited in claim 6 wherein said last mentioned means comprises an eccentric mounted on said depending portion of said operating member and secured to a power shaft eX- tended in a direction substantially perpendicular to said operating rod.

8, In a laundry machine, the combination of a llexure to permit angular tilting and rectilinear motion of said agitator with respect to the bottom wall of the tub without stretching of said walls, an operating connector rigidly secured to said agitator and depending from said end wall, and means cooperating with said connector for simultaneously imparting to said end wall and agitator an angular tilting motion and rectilinear vibration in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto.

MARTIN E. RHODE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the rile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Certificate of orrection Patent No. 2,520,336 August 29, 1950 MARTIN E. RHODE It is hereby certified that errer appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 65, for tube l0 read tub 10; column 6, line 62, strike out the Word r0d;

and that the said Letters Patent should be fead as Corrected above7 so that the same mayeonform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 14th day of November, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gommz'ssz'oner of Patents. 

